Giant Grasshopper vs Pepe Tuna (Bag Moth)
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Giant Grasshopper | Pepe Tuna (Bag Moth) |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Valanga irregularis | Liothula omnivora |
| Order | Orthoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Acrididae | Psychidae |
| Size | 60-75 mm | 15-25 mm (male wingspan); cases up to 100 mm |
| Habitat | Gardens | Underground |
| Diet | Herbivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Oceania | Oceania (New Zealand) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Giant Grasshopper
The largest grasshopper in Australia, with females reaching impressive sizes. It is a strong flier that sometimes causes damage to garden plants and crops.
Did You Know?
Female giant grasshoppers are significantly larger than males and can deliver a surprisingly painful bite with their powerful mandibles when handled.
Pepe Tuna (Bag Moth)
A native New Zealand bag moth whose caterpillars construct elaborate portable cases covered with twigs and leaf fragments. Female adults are wingless grubs that never leave their bags. Males are small dark moths that fly to find stationary females.
Did You Know?
The female bag moth never develops wings or legs and spends her entire life inside the bag, even laying her eggs within it before dying.